In word and deed during his trip to Brazil, Pope Francis put clergy and faithful alike on notice: Get energized, go out and spread the Gospel, give the Roman Catholic Church a more active role in society. Full story

Answering questions about the Catholic Church while visiting Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis said women need to have an equal role in the church, though did not address the idea of female priests. And when asked about gay people, the pontiff responded, “Who am I to judge?”

The new Pope has so far kept his devotion to the poor his central focus. On his ongoing trip to Brazil, he made a point to visit one of Rio de Janeiro’s slum neighborhoods and has refused to protect himself, going without bullet-proof glass between him and Catholic believers. Rev. Dr. Katharine Rhod

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Extensive damage caused by a large water pipe that broke off in Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 30, 2013. A three-year-old girl drowned and at least seven people were injured Tuesday as a major water main ruptured, destroying several homes in western Rio, authorities said. AFP PHOTO/

A local resident shows a placard that reads "Till when are we going to endure so many tragedies" amidst the rubble and extensive damage caused by a large water pipe that broke off in Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 30, 2013. A three-year-old girl drowned and at least seven people wer

A man takes pictures of mannequins representing missing people placed on Copacabana Beach during a protest by non-governmental organization Rio de Paz in Rio de Janeiro July 31, 2013. According to the organizers, 35,000 victims of violence are missing in the Rio de Janeiro state since 2007. REUTER

Sunbathers relax on a beach behind mannequins representing missing people are placed on Copacabana Beach during a protest by non-governmental organization Rio de Paz in Rio de Janeiro July 31, 2013. According to the organizers, 35,000 victims of violence are missing in the Rio de Janeiro state sin